I'm back in action! Please enjoy and consider leaving a review! It really keeps me motivated!
Have fun!
Subaru had butterflies in his stomach. It was just a day away before he left to go to Lagunica capital. For the last remaining days, himself and Beatrice trained as much as they could.
He felt inferior to those who have power in this world so he was restless in his training.
"Subaru?"
"Yea, Beako?"
"You have to promise to visit Betty at least once a week, I suppose." She said, clutching onto his black shawl that hanged over his left arm.
"Of course! I don't think I would be able to live without seeing my Beako for more than a week!" Subaru said dramatically.
"Hmph, such a sweet talker. Try practicing the seals again, I suppose."
Subaru had been practicing using the seals on his eyes in order to properly see where to land attacks if he came across an opponent. It was with mixed results.
The raven haired boy concentrated and he felt a warmth in his eyes. Opening them, there was the usual pink star shaped magic circle.
"Now turn it off, I suppose." Subaru concentrated again but just couldn't get the hang of turning it off.
"Shit this is so tough. Why can't I just shut it off?" He said frustrated. Beatrice shook her head.
Subaru knelt down and Beatrice sucked the mana out of the seals. Eliminating the glow.
"Betty recommends practicing when Betty's Subaru comes to visit, I suppose." She suggested. Subaru nodded at the idea.
"Alright. It's getting late… I'm going to go through my things one more time tonight. I have to leave early tomorrow." He said with a bittersweet smile. To which Beatrice became downcast.
"Betty will accompany Subaru, I suppose." She said waving her hand, teleporting the library next to her contractors room.
"I'd like that." He said, taking her hand, walking out of the library into the hallway.
Surprisingly, Emilia waited for him at Subaru's room.
"Oh? To what do I owe the pleasure? Are you perhaps here to see me off?" Emilia nodded with a smile.
"Yes, I just wanted to make sure that y-you had everything and to make sure you go to bed early enough… I see that Beatrice is with you, so that's not a problem I guess." Emilia replied, a bit flushed. Making Subaru grin mischievously.
"Hoh? Could it be that my lady wanted another story before I left?" Emilia immediately became red in the face and avoided eye contact, poking her fingers together.
"N-Not really… But if you wanted to then I wouldn't say no." She admitted.
Subaru gave her a soft smile and then glanced down at Beatrice who just started walking in his room and crawled onto the bed.
"I'm running out of stories to tell, Emilia. I'll have to try and remember some more when I'm at the academy. I hope I didn't disappoint your majesty." He teased with a bow.
Emilia took her knights left hand in both of hers, one over the other.
"Be careful and have fun, Subaru." She said, letting go of his hand.
"I'll try my best. Good night Emilia. I'll see you around." Subaru replied with his usual smirk. Emilia nodded and went her way to retire for the night.
Entering his room, he closed the door and changed into his pajamas. Getting underneath the covers with his contracted great spirit. Beatrice instantly latched herself on her contractors arm and sucked mana out of his gate to help him sleep.
"Will you be okay without Betty, I wonder?" She asked, as blue glow faintly illuminating the room.
"If I can't sleep I can always use the dimensional gates we set up in the 'dome'." He replied, patting her head.
"Betty will be waiting, I suppose." She whispered. Subaru tried to say something back, but the mana being depleted from his gate forced him asleep, cutting his sentence short.
"Betty will always be on her contractors side in fact."
A certain raven haired boy yawned as he left the front gates of the manor whilst most of the resident's were asleep save for Beatrice and Ram.
"Even on important days like this you still manage to slack off Barusu. Ram finds this truly unsatisfactory." She jabbed. Causing Subaru to roll his eyes.
"Wow, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting, how could I ever forgive myself." He replied sarcastically.
"Hah, just get your stuff so Ram can get this over with."
Subaru took his luggage and put it into the back compartment of the fancy Mathers carriage.
Before Subaru could depart, Beatrice ran out towards the two. Subaru picked up Beatrice in his arms and gave her a tight hug, lightly rocking side to side.
"Betty will miss her Subaru in fact." She said, after Subaru put her back down.
Her contractor chuckled at how cute she was.
"Relax Beako. I'll see you at least once a week. But I will miss you too." He replied with a fond smile.
"Hurry up Barusu!" Ram yelled from the drivers seat.
"Silence maid! Betty and her Subaru are having a moment in fact!" She yelled back, eliciting a laugh from Subaru.
"I'll see you later, Beako." Beatrice's eyes watered as he got into the carriage and watched her contractor depart.
Subaru groaned as he laid back into the padded carriage seats, already missing his Beako.
"Ram."
"What, Barusu?"
"What is the royal capital like?" He asked, Ram sighed that she had to put through effort to explain something.
"It's one of the largest city's of all the 4 great city's. It's highly guarded by high walls. Ram isn't impressed often but even she must say, it's quite the spectacle." She explains.
"Hmm, Emilia was saying that there is pretty bad prejudice against demi-humans. How bad is it?"
"Although Lagunica has abolished slavery of demi-humans, it's still segregated. Lady Beatrice probably already taught you about the demi-human war, so you could imagine why there would be bad blood." Subaru nodded at her explanation.
"Yea, she's taught me a few things about the kingdoms history. That one was pretty bad." He concurred.
"Enough chatter Barusu, I need to focus on Ram's task and I don't particularly want to talk to you." She teased.
"Wow, so mean!"
Subaru was surprised at how quickly they made it to the capital. Ram mentioned that all ground dragons have a divine protection that negates all wind resistance and anything they pull, which would explain the speed they were moving.
Subaru stuck his head out the side window and was awestruck at the sheer size of the walls that surrounded the capital.
"Holy hell you weren't kidding!" He said to Ram.
"I never kid Barusu, Ram takes everything seriously." Subaru was instantly doubtful of the truthfulness of her statement.
"Ahh, riiiight…" He deadpanned.
The raven haired boy noticed many lower quality carriages being stopped and checked. Most likely commoners being checked while the nobles clearly have a unfair passage due to status. But that's only in Subaru's mind, in this world it's completely normal.
Merchants also had their own separate lane to get the goods checked before being granted passage.
"This is a very clean city." Subaru mused as the ground dragon trod them along the main road.
"It's not like that everywhere. The slums are pitiful in comparison. Just one of many things that the upcoming king will need to fix." Ram informed eliciting a grim expression from the boy she was coaching.
"Yea, Emilia is gonna have it tough."
Subaru was astonished. After parking the carriage, the walk up to the castle was incredible. The stairs made out of stone that was almost white as cotton. The walls on each side of the staircase leading up to the ornate double doors were elegantly decorated in blue and gold.
"Man, this is unreal." Subaru awed.
"Stop gawking Barusu, you're embarrassing enough to stand by already, don't make it worse." She jabbed.
"My maidenly heart will stop if you keep insulting me like a germ." Ram was puzzled at Subaru's reply.
"What in the Od is a germ?"
"Oh yea, you guys don't know about that stuff." Subaru mumbled. Ram blew it off as another stupid thing he occasionally says.
"We are here, tell the servant there you're here for the knight academy and you will be taken to the correct section of the castle." Subaru nodded at her explanation and took his luggage out of the carriage compartment.
"Well, Ram will not miss your presence at the manor. Don't forget the alibi lord Roswald gave you and embarrass him Barusu." She teased, leaving him at the gate right after.
'Well, it's better than wanting to kill me. I couldn't imagine the tension if Rem were to take me here.' Subaru thought heading towards the elderly servant in the kiosk.
"Good day sir! What happens to be your business within the royal castle?" He asked rather nicely.
"Yes, I'm Subaru Natsuki. I'm here for the knight academy. Lord Roswald should have sent a letter a while back regarding my arrival." The servants nodded and looked through a ledger.
"Ah! Yes, guards! Let this young man through and show him the way! Here young man, take this note to the guards and they will show you the way. He said, handing Subaru the note.
"Yes, thank you sir." Subaru thanked.
"Ah, my pleasure."
'Man, Chick-fil-A would love this guy.' Subaru thought, walking up to the two guards at the gate.
"Halt! What is your business here?" He asked stiffly.
Subaru handed the note and as he read, the guard seemed to sweat bullets.
"My apologies sir! I had no idea we would be getting an honored person such as yourself. Please follow me, I will show you to the academy." He said nervously.
'That was fucking weird.' Subaru thought as he followed the guard inside the large double gates and into the walkway of the castle.
It was impressive. It's size towered above so high, Subaru had to crane his neck all the way up just to see the highest point.
As they entered the castle itself, it had an entrance that branched off to three different areas. Everything was decorated in gold and white, with pictures of what Subaru thought to be the previous kings. Red carpet with gold trimming decorated the floors, with occasional embroidery .
"We will be going off to the left here. This is where all the knights affiliation is done. Towards the right is the nobles and mages affiliations. And going straight in the middle is the throne room. Don't ever go in there unless your summoned." The guard explained. To which Subaru nodded.
Taking a left, they continued quite a ways down the white hallways with stained glass. The view on their left was way above the city of Lagunica, on the right were rooms meant for different purposes. Subaru assumed class rooms or maybe dining rooms. He didn't get a tour of it.
"Where are we headed." Subaru questioned.
"I'm taking you to captain Gildark, he's going to get you registered." He replied as Subaru walked behind him.
"Is it really necessary for the captain himself to see a mere rookie?" Subaru asked, the guard glanced back for a moment.
"Usually not, but your case is a bit special. You were sent by the Margrave himself which in itself makes you of a higher social standing, Even among the ranks of fellow knights." He explained.
"Wow. I'm not sure I'll be able to live up to that standing you talk about but I'll try." Subaru said, rubbing his neck with an awkward grin.
"Some of the younger knights may not see you in the best light though. Your entering the academy halfway through the graduating year, so they may see you as, entering through the backdoor so to say." He warned.
"Hmm, I'll keep a look out for it, thanks."
"No worries sir Natsuki. Ah, we are here." He said gesturing to a closed door. The guard knocked and he heard a deep voice ask them in, which they promptly did so.
"Sir, this is sir Subaru Natsuki sent by Lord Roswald. I brought him as you had requested." He said bowing slightly.
"Dismissed." He said, sitting at his desk without looking up from his paper work.
The captain was a large armored man with green hair with a military cut and a soul patch. The captain finally gave Subaru attention after he had been standing there for a few long moments.
"I thought you would be bigger… But you're definitely the one. Long way from home are you, Gusteko was it?" He analyzed.
"Yes sir, I was a noble from a fallen family and I sought refuge in Lagunica. Lord Roswald saw talent in me and gave me an opportunity to serve him, it was an offer I couldn't pass up." Subaru replied respectfully.
"Natsuki huh? I've never heard of a Natsuki household in Gusteko." He tested. Roswald told Subaru the captain would probably do this.
"I'm sure you wouldn't, it was very small, hardly any different than a commoners livings except for name only. Our land got ravaged by the civil war and is why I'm a refugee." Subaru replied coolly.
"Hmm, I am Marcos Gildark, captain of the royal knights and from this point forward, I am your superior. What I say you do. If it weren't for owing a favor to the Margrave I wouldn't even be letting you in, so anything that happens to you… I will not take responsibility for. That's on the Margrave. Now that you know this, are you sure you want to join the knight academy?" He warned and Subaru nodded.
"Of course… Sir." He said with a smirk.
Because Subaru was recruited through Roswald, he was clearly getting special treatment. He got his own room, whereas every one else had to share a room except for a select few.
The Raven haired boy unpacked his things in the small bag he brought into the drawers in the room.
It was a decent size with a large bed, white and blue sheets lay upon it mattress. The furniture was lavish and complemented the theme of white and blue nicely.
Subaru dressed in his pajamas and flopped onto the large bed.
'Haa… I miss Beako.' He thought glancing down to his left where she usually cuddles next to him.
He was thinking he'd just go and visit them with dimension crossing but he was given strict orders not to leave the academy unless given permission.
The captains words went through his head again.
'I will not take responsibility for you. That's on the Margrave. Now that you know this, are you sure you want to join the knight academy?'
"Heh, I'm not the naïve weak Subaru back on earth. I have true power now. If someone wants to pick on me… Bring it on."
A certain red haired man walked through the hallways and waved to crowds of knights who were clearly fans. This man didn't find it annoying, not because he enjoyed attention or was arrogant. But because he was a truly kind person.
"Good morning sir Reinhart!" one knight said.
"We are blessed to have you here sir Reinhart!" Said another.
Reinhart just smiled and nodded his head in return. A few moments later, a strange thing occurred. His heart skipped a beat as he felt his divine protection of emotion reading flare.
As the crowd thinned he saw a boy his age with black hair, black eyes, his gaze downcast. He also looked as he has gotten very little sleep.
His knight uniform was not standard issue, most likely a noble with money. But the most baffling part was the amount of negative emotion his divine protection sensed. It has been a long time since Reinhart had seen such negative energy.
Reinhart walked up to the young man and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I hope the academy is treatment you well. May I ask your name?" The strange boy looked surprised at his introduction.
"Uh, hey. I'm Subaru Natsuki… And you are?" He replied.
Reinhart was a bit confused. He is in the knight academy but he didn't recognize the sword saint? Not that this bothered Reinhart, quite the opposite in fact. It was refreshing meeting someone who didn't know him.
"Ah, I apologize. It was rude not to introduce myself first. I'm Reinhart van Astrea. I just noticed you seemed a bit troubled. Is there anything I can assist you with?" He asked kindly.
"Yes, you can. You see, I've been here for two months and haven't made a single friend. Perhaps you can help?" Subaru joked.
After hearing his problem Reinhart glanced down in thought.
'Someone like me is the last person he would need to help fix his troubles…' Reinhart self depreciated internally.
The raven haired boy laughed at Reinhart who was taking it way to seriously.
"Don't think about it to hard man! How about you be my friend?" Subaru offered, surprising Reinhart.
'Someone wants to be friends with a monster like me?' The sword saint thought.
"How about I call you Rein? Yea, that sounds good!" Subaru mused, completely oblivious to Reinharts internal struggles.
"I…I would be happy, if you could be my friend." The swordsman replied with a charming smile.
'Guh… So damn good looking…' Subaru thought bitterly.
"I'm supposed to be early to class. Some noble jerk is waking me up early cause he is supposed to be some hot shot." Subaru said clueless, to which Reinhart chuckled awkwardly.
"I'll see ya around Rein." Subaru said while running off to his class.
Reinhart smiled at the thought of making a friend today. It was hard for him. People treated him like a gemstone that's too precious to approach. They only watch in admiration. This mysterious boy was the first person in his life that Reinhart truly felt sincerity from.
"What a strange fellow."
Subaru barely made it in time for his class. He was just about the last person to be seated.
The room resembled that of a college classroom. A stage for the teacher, and elevated desks facing it. A staircase splitting the room that led up to the highest desks in the far back.
Subaru took his assigned seat at the front row closest to the teacher.
'Hopefully this special guest isn't a prick.' Subaru lamented as the teacher entered the classroom.
"Alright quiet!" He yelled, standing behind the podium and faced the knight trainees.
"I know you got up earlier than usual today but I won't be allowing that to affect your performance. Today we have a very special guest." The door then opened and in walked the same red haired man Subaru befriended.
'Oh my god, fuck me.' Subaru thought, covering his face in embarrassment.
"Please give him your apt attention!.. You may take the stage sword saint." The teacher gestured to the podium and stepped back to let Reinhart speak.
"Greetings. I'm sure you all know who I am but I will introduce myself out of curtesy. My name, is Reinhart van Astrea, and I've come as a guest to teach a few things about being a knight of the kingdom. Knight Juukulius was supposed to come, but other matters came up regarding the upcoming selection. So my meager skills will have to suffice." He said modestly.
There were a few murmurs in the class but it quickly died down.
"What is the most important thing about being royal knights for the kingdom of Lagunica?" Reinhart asked.
A classmate raised their hand and he pointed to him.
"To bring the utmost honor to the kingdom." He answered.
"That is an important thing to consider but that is incorrect… Anyone else?" The classmate who answered shrunk down back into his seat at his incorrect answer.
'These people are so stuck up and focused on principle and hoity toity knightly manners, that they can't even see such a easy answer…' Subaru thought annoyed.
Reinhart smiled softly and gestured to his new friend.
"Yes, Subaru?" The class mates upon hearing Reinhart say the raven haired boys name, murmured once more amongst each other.
"Why would the sword saint know that fake by name?" One trainee said to his desk mate.
"Subaru? What the hell is that freak up to this time?" Another whispered.
The raven haired boy stood up and answered.
"The most important part of being a knight… Is protecting the people, no matter what social standing they have, it does not matter to a knight that is truly righteous." Subaru finished, sitting back down.
Reinhart nodded at his new friend.
"That is correct! After all, what is the point of becoming a knight if you do not find value in the most important part of the kingdom… The people. Thank you Subaru." He said, glancing at said boy.
"Here at the knight academy, they teach you about the basics of magic, advanced swordsmanship, proper manners and speech befitting of a knight… But there is one thing they cannot teach you no matter how hard the academy may try. And that is the love of people who are complete strangers to yourselves… Each person is someone's father, mother, child, grand child." He paused for a few moments. The class paid close attention.
"But the moment you lose your compassion, your love of people… Is the moment you stop being a knight. Power is important, it allows you to protect those who cannot do so themselves, but compassion and kindness is equally important too." Subaru could tell there was tension amongst some of the snobbish classmates he had to deal with as Reinhart hit them where it hurts.
"All of you will be graduating within the next three months, given you pass the test of course. So for the rest of those three months, I urge you to take this advice to heart. I assure, cultivating the qualities of compassion and kindness will not only make you a better knight, but a better person and it will reflect well on the image of Lagunica knights and bring it honor... Here at the academy you will acquire great power. Don't let that power cloud your judgement. Always choose the path of peace if at all possible."
'Don't let it get to your head in other words.' Subaru thought.
"Upon my name of Astrea, I truly believe you will all make excellent knights. Keep up the good work, I will be watching your progress." Reinhart finished with a small bow before leaving the stage and walking out the classroom.
The classroom applauded at his guidance. Even if some of the trainees winced at his words. If the sword saint said it, then it was the truth and they couldn't refute it.
'Hah… I hope he wasn't offended at what I implied about him earlier… Subaru thought as the teacher went on in his lessons.
'Man, I can't wait to see Beako.'
Reinhart sat at a special table about to eat lunch that was segregated from all the other knights and trainees in the large dining hall.
Nobles sat around him obviously trying to suck up to him. Telling him bloated tales of their accomplishments. Reinhart truly tried to pay attention to what they were saying but he heard it all too often. They weren't actually interested in him as a person. They wanted to develop connections with the Astrea family. Whether it be merchants looking to trade goods, nobles asking for help in some trouble they got in, even some trying to set him up in marriage with their daughters.
This is why he hated being powerful. It was a never ending loop of fakes trying to impress him and to stroke their egos with his praise of their questionable accomplishments.
"Hey buddy." The sword saint heard as his new friend put a plate of food in front of him.
Subaru sat down next to him putting down his own plate of food in his other hand.
"This table is reserved for special guests. I implore you to leave!" One of the four snobbish nobles said as Subaru sat down.
The raven haired boy smirked
"Oh, special guests? Shouldn't you leave then?" He jabbed, making the four nobles sitting opposite of himself and Reinhart furious.
"W-Where are your manners trainee!? A knight ought to know better how to treat a noble!" He responded. Subaru waved his hands in surrender.
"Ahh that. Yea I'm failing that class. Please don't hold it against me." He said, obviously trying to agitate them.
Reinhart was flabbergasted at his friends behavior. Not at all in a bad way.
"Why you! How audacious can you be peasant? I demand to know your identity so you can be thoroughly disciplined!" Subaru put his pinky in his ear, trying to plug it.
"Yeash, calm down dude, it's just a joke." Subaru's mock attempts to calm the situation of course failed.
"Say Rein, you want to get out of here?" Subaru said, picking up the sword saints plate and handing it to him.
The noble slammed his hand down on the table.
"Don't you dare leave you mongrel! Your not escaping the consequences of offending a noble!" The nobles hissed as Subaru stood from his seat.
As patient as Reinhart was, even he was getting irritated at the nobles outbursts. Out of sheer heat of the moment, Reinhart stood up and agreed to leave with Subaru.
"Yes, I think I'd like that Subaru." Said boy smirked at the sword saints response.
"Oh my god! Intruders!" Subaru gasped, pointing behind the nobles who immediately turned around to see said intruders.
"What do you mean!? There are no intruders you imbec-…" The noble cut himself short when he noticed Subaru and the sword saint just vanished in the short amount of time they had been distracted.
"W-What the hell is going on!?"
"Subaru, how did you do that?" Reinhart asked amazed, setting his plate down on the table in Subaru's room.
"Ah, I just opened a portal connected to my room, well there's another step to that but that is the short version." Subaru shrugged, grabbing silverware from some drawers.
"I don't think you understand how incredible that is my friend. Dimension magic is the highest level of yin element, which is notorious for being very difficult to control. Yet you did it instantly without even casting." Subaru rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment as he sat down to eat his food with his new friend.
"You give me too much credit. I do have a Yin affinity. I'm also contracted with the great spirit of Yin… She's my teacher and dear friend." Subaru responded with a fond smile.
Reinhart was amazed. You would have never thought that a man with such a small gate would be able to cast highly advanced Yin magic and be contracted with THE great spirit of Yin? Almost unbelievable.
"Subaru, I think you are selling yourself short…" Reinhart admitted.
"You may think I'm incredible but, if I hadn't contracted with my great spirit… I would have been very average." Subaru said with a guilty look.
Reinhart chuckled a little.
"You are anything but average my friend." He said, finally eating his food before it got cold.
"So what about you Rein? How'd you become the sword saint?" Subaru asked, digging into his food.
Reinhart paused his eating and hesitated to answer.
"Well, the Astrea family have been inheriting the sword saint name for generations. Not just because we are exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship. But because we are blessed by Od Lagunica with divine protections to live up to the title. I'd like to say I earned my title with my own effort… But Od Lagunica has blessed me with hundreds of divine protections… It's like…"
"It feels like you cheated?" Subaru finished for him.
Reinhart smiled somberly and nodded.
"Yes, precisely." He replied. Subaru wiped his mouth and put a hand on his friends shoulder.
"I know exactly how you feel." Reinhart looked at him in surprise.
'Someone understands me?'
Reinhart would doubt Subaru but his divine protection of truth didn't detect any deceit.
"Thank you Subaru… That means more than you would think." Reinhart said with a soft smile.
"Of course! What are friends for?" The raven haired boy said with a thumbs up.
The two ate and had small talk about Subaru's academy life as well as some pointers and advice from Reinhart. The sword saint hasn't felt so… Happy in a long time. His usual mundane routine was thrown off course by his new mysterious friend that came out of nowhere.
"Say Rein, want to come to the Mathers domain for supper this Saturday?" Subaru suggested. Reinhart shook his head.
"I apologize. I have work that I need to attend to early Sunday, so I'm going to ha-"
"Tsk tsk, did you forget I can just teleport you back?" Subaru interrupted, wagging his finger. Eliciting a smile from his friend.
"Well, if you willing to do so, then I'd be happy to come, is Lord Roswald okay with it?" Subaru just waved his hand.
"Ah, don't worry about that guy. He won't care." Reinhart sweat dropped at Subaru's disregard of his benefactor.
"Well then, I'll have to intrude. Thank you for the invite." Subaru nodded in affirmation.
"By the way. If you want, I can go to your place and drop a portal for later or you can meet me at the castle gates when I pick you up Saturday." Subaru offered.
"I'll just meet you at the gates… Would you mind dropping me off after we are done? Id rather not have to go through the crowds again." Reinhart requested sheepishly.
"No problem my friend!"
Subaru rested in his room thinking of the day before going to bed. It had been 2 months since he had been at the academy. Nothing but studying and his classmates looking at him with contempt.
They viewed him as someone who cheated his way into the academy, which they aren't exactly wrong. This made it very hard to make friends, something Subaru had been desperate for ever since he was on earth.
'Aah… Maybe it's going to be the same no matter where I go.' He thought. But that was before meeting Reinhart.
His first friend his age. Before that, the only person he could find solace in was Beatrice. He lied to her about having no friends, he told her not to worry and that he had hardly any nightmares.
But in reality it was miserable. The only time he felt at peace was when he was at the manor. He felt terrible about lying, but Beatrice had enough stress already because of his absence. The last thing she needs to think about is that her contractor is suffering and she can't do anything about it.
After thinking too hard Subaru fell asleep.
He floated in darkness. Stars started to illuminate the sky, it was Beautiful. He blinked and a blood red moon blocked the stars.
The moon got brighter and brighter. Subaru felt a warm heat on his back. Turning around he saw the sun. It's gravity pulled him towards it. The heat got more intense the closer he got.
The pain felt real. He winced in pain, shutting his eyes tight. A solar flare of fiery gas shot from the burning mass and burned off his arm.
Screaming in pain he kept plummeting faster to his death. His skin started to char, hair burned off, and eventually, he disintegrated from the unimaginable heat.
"Gah!" Subaru gasped awake, sitting on the bed clutching his face with a crazed expression. The full moon illuminating the bed through the window.
This has been happening every night. Subaru's conscience has found a way to punish him by killing him in his dreams in a different way every single night he slept. With the exception of Beatrice helping him.
"How… How much longer must I endure?" He whispered for the umpteenth time.
'Three more months of this? Can I even make it? I've almost killed myself in hallucinations two times now… No, I will endure… I have to. Emilia and Beako need me… I think… No. I'm pretty sure I'm the one who needs them, hah…' He thought bitterly.
Subaru was terrified to take of the legendary armament that could bring him back to life. He walked, slept and bathed every moment in his shawl adorned with stars and a crescent moon. What If he killed himself and he didn't have it on? Then everything he did would he for nothing.
Who am I kidding… This is my retribution.
Subaru walked through the hallways to class, bags under his eyes, shoulders slouched, obviously exhausted.
'Only one more night and I can see Beako.' He thought, walking into the classroom and taking his designated seat in the front row.
The teacher arrived moments later and silenced the room.
"Good morning, future knights! As you probably know, the battle power assessment is next month. Featuring swordsmanship. I expect you to practice diligently." He said, the class giving a firm "Yes sir."
'Fuck, I don't even use a sword yet I still have to take the class. I could be using that time to see Beako.' He thought yawning.
"Natsuki!" The teacher yelled. To which Subaru immediately straightened up and stiffened.
"Yes Mr. sterling?" He said firmly and with respect. Mr. sterling was particularly strict and didn't like to see any form of lack luster attitude in his class.
"Is there something in my class you find boring?" He questioned, but Subaru was unfazed.
"No sir. I just had poor sleep last night. It won't happen again." The teacher rolled his and continued his lecture. Eliciting a sigh of relief from Subaru.
Some students snickered at him but that was normal to Subaru.
'That could have gone a lot worse…' He thought whilst opening his text book.
Classes went one the same as usual. The material itself wasn't usual school. It had nothing to do with learning mathematics or science. They were there to serve the kingdom as loyal, graceful, righteous nights that uphold the law. There was little room for error.
Luckily Subaru's authority allowed him to study for as long as he was mentally capable of doing. So keeping up wasn't really an issue. It really was a cheat code in some aspects.
Alas, the teacher did his job and the students diligently followed instruction.
Subaru sighed in relief as the warm healing magic of his great spirit calmed his mind.
Beatrice leaned on her contractors chest as they sat in his usual comfy chair in the library.
"Betty missed her Subaru. Betty thinks you can just break the rules and visit everyday, I suppose." She muttered as Subaru pat her head.
"Trust me… I wish I could come everyday, more than you could possibly imagine…" Beatrice tilted her head up to meet his eyes in concern.
"Betty wishes so much… But… Her contract with mother will not let Betty go that far from the forbidden library." She said downcast.
"Your contract with your mother?" The great spirit nodded in response.
"Is… Is there a way to get rid of the contract?" Beatrice seemed hesitant to answer.
"The library would have to he destroyed, or mother would have to cancel it herself. But mother is dead… Having you here for Betty is enough, I suppose." She explained to which Subaru shook his head.
"That's not good enough… Isn't there anything you could think of that could help? I'll go off of any lead you have." Subaru said fervently, brushing her cheek.
"The sanctuary… It's where Betty lived with mother, Roswald and Ryuzu… But Betty doesn't know if there is anything left there to find, I suppose. It was destroyed by the warlock of melancholy in fact." She said, tearing up at the painful memories.
"I'll look into it. Roswald may know something about this… Sanctuary through his descendants… By the way, what was the first Roswald like?" Subaru asked, eliciting Beatrice to change positions on his lap with her back leaned on his chest.
"He was annoying, but his talent for magic and loyalty to mother were extraordinary. We learned many things together, but After Mother died we parted ways. He was also obsessed with soul transfer magic, but not even mother could finish it. He wasted away his life, chasing after something he could never obtain. What a pitiful man." She explained.
"I see... Even if it's slim I'm going to ask Roswald if he knows anything. I know you love this library… But if it's going to be a prison for you. I would rather it be destroyed." Beatrice froze at the thought of the libraries destruction.
"Betty wouldn't want her Subaru to do that. She would be forced to fight Betty's Subaru, and that is something she cannot bear."
"Even if you have to fight me. I'd still do it… For you. No matter what… I swear I'll free you…" He said confidently. Beatrice turned around and wrapped his neck in a hug.
"Betty's silly contractor is no match for Betty, I suppose." She whispered in his ear. Subaru smiled in amusement.
"Then I'll just get stronger and try again." He said smirking.
"Hmph! You make it sound so easy. Where does all that confidence come from, I wonder?" Beatrice replied pulling back from the hug.
"The great spirit of Yin is my master! It's only natural for me to be the strongest!"
Emilia sighed as she studied her books in her room.
"That's like the fifth time you've sighed in the past 10 minutes. What's gotten into you?" He asked sitting on his daughters desk she sat at.
"I wish I was more like Subaru… I can tell he has an enormous burden but nothing seems to faze him!.. It's like… It's like he's unstoppable, I just wish I had more of that in me." She admitted.
Puck internally 'tsk' as it was once again about Subaru. Doesn't this girl think about anything else?
"You really shouldn't be so focused on that guy. You have other things that are more important." He urged.
"I know… Subaru is my first friend Puck. I guess I just miss the company." She replied, grasping the fringes of her skirt.
"You will have plenty of time to catch up once he's back from the knight academy. Just believe in him a little and focus on your studies." He told, going back into his crystal.
'I do believe in him but… Sometimes when I see Subaru. He's not the Subaru I know, or something…' Emilia thought, turning to the next page in her textbook.
Emilia may be oblivious to the whole truth, but she is all too correct in her suspensions of her knights struggles.
Subaru walked through the hallways of the manor after finishing his session with his great spirit.
Beatrice said it was okay to be shackled to the Mathers domain but it wasn't good enough for Subaru. So he decided to give a certain jester a visit.
Knocking on the office door, the lord of the manor urged him to come in.
Opening the door, he took a seat on the other side of Roswalds desk at his request.
"To what doooo I owe the pleasuuure dear Subaru?" He drawled out.
"Hey Roswald… I came regarding a more serious matter this evening." The jester grew intrigued and leaned forward with his elbows on the desk.
"Oh? It's beeeeeen a while since you laaaast asked for help. Please, doooont be shy." He said with a smirk, Subaru maintained a serious expression.
"I want to break Beako's contract with Echidna." Roswald looked surprised for a few moments, but recovered as he leaned back in his office chair.
"Hmm, dear Beatrice has beeeen there a loooong time. She cannot veeeenture far from the forbidden library. I'm assuuuumming you want to free her of that so she may go with you?" He guessed, to which Subaru nodded.
"She may not see it like this. But to me… She's like a prisoner. She says that just having me is enough but… I want more for her. Please, I'll do anything." Subaru begged, Eliciting a wide smile from the clown.
"Anythiiiiing hmm?" He mused as he flipped through a black book. Subaru grew a bit awkward after the long silence.
Roswald finally shut his book and stored it in his coat pocket.
"I will help you." Roswald started, making Subaru's heart flutter.
"But! You will alsoooo help me with sooooomething." Subaru nodded, silently urging him to continue.
"Dear Beatrice may have alreaaaady told you but I do have my own plaaaans in making laaaady Emilia king of Lagunica." He started ominously.
"Yea, I kind of figured. You are my benefactor as well so I went along with it." Subaru admitted, making said benefactor smirk.
"For four hundred years I've had the single goal of reviving my teacher." He started, his accent completely gone.
'Four hundred years? How the hell has he lived so long?' Subaru thought, waiting for the jester to continue.
"The only reason I'm telling this to you is because the tomb of wisdom told me to." He said waving around the black book he had earlier and putting back in his pocket shortly after.
"Beako has one too, although it doesn't seem to work as good as yours." Subaru mentioned, oddly making Roswald downcast for a few moments.
"I see, I didn't know that…" The jester said quietly.
'For as much as Beako dislikes Roswald, he sure does have a soft spot for her.' Subaru thought.
"If you follow my instruction, And revive my teacher… I can guarantee dear Beatrice's freedom." He offered, to which Subaru simply stood up and outstretched his hand.
"Deal." He responded, shaking Roswald's hand firmly.
"What's the first step?" Subaru asked, eager to get this over with.
"Im sooo happy that you are willing to staaaart so early, but you first neeeed to graduate from the knight acaaaademy." The jester informed.
"Alright. I'll do that… So, reviving your teacher… How do you plan to do that exactly?" Roswald leaned back in his chair and looked in his tomb of wisdom, Subaru assumed he was checking if it would tell him to inform Subaru of his inquiry.
"My dear teaaaacher's body is suspended in a time chaaamber. A powerful magic device is keeping it frooom deteriorating. The only thing caaapable of bringing her back to life is draaagons blood." Subaru was confused about the dragons blood.
"Beako told me of the great dragon Volcanica… You need the blood from him?" Roswald nodded.
"Indeeeed. However no one really knows where he is, buuut I do know where the blood is." Subaru narrowed his eyes.
"The dragon candidates…" Roswald nodded.
"Very perceptive. Thaaat is why I'm sponsoring lady Emilia. I am noooot the only one who needs the blood either. Laaady Emilia needs it for her own goals… Surely you can see why lady Emilia agreed to let meeee sponsor her. After all… You know hoooow she can be." Subaru simply huffed with a smirk.
"Okay, graduate the academy, make Emilia king, revive Echidna, free Beako." Subaru simplified.
"Weeell said… I think our agreement will be veeeery beneficial dear Subaru. Gooood night." Roswald finished. Hinting the end of the conversation.
"Yea, let me know if you need anything." Subaru responded, walking out of his office with a wave.
Roswald grew a wicked smirk when the raven haired boy left.
"Oh I will have plenty of work for you my dear Subaru… You can count on that…"
"Alright slackers! Pay attention! I'll be assigning you your training partner. If you don't know who it is by the time I'm done, then you fail!
Subaru and his classmates sweat dropped at their sword training instructors strictness.
All 203 of them frantically found their training partner when they were called.
Subaru hated this class. He was able to beat every student with the help of his authority, but when he was in the 'time zone' there was really no need to focus on a certain type of sword style as Subaru could easily see how to defend against every attack, even against the most impossible of placements.
The sole reason he hasn't failed is because he was undefeated. So the instructor could therefore not tell him to stop doing what he was doing, even though everyone knew his sword style or lack there of was so far off from the academy's teachings.
"Natsuki will verse Sherlum!"
'Fuck…' Sherlum thought as he made his way through the crowd of nights to meet the raven haired boy.
"Don't think I'm like the others Natsuki… I can see through your tricks." He hissed at Subaru whom looked bored.
"Yea yea save it for the match." He said, cleaning out his ear with a pinky finger.
Subaru was… Not well liked. His brash demeanor and the fact he got in through the backdoor door, rubbed many of the snobbish bastards the wrong way.
A lot of them attempted to bully him a couple weeks after he got to the academy, but they promptly got their ass handed to them. Much to their frustration, the guy seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye! Still no one has a clue as to how he does it.
Some have claimed to see him open portals but they were swiftly dismissed as only high level yin mages can do that… Which of whom are basically extinct to their knowledge.
The rounds went quickly. A few practice swords were broken here and there and a little blood was shed but only flesh wounds. A healer was on standby anyway.
It was finally Subaru and Ray Sherlum's turn. The crowd sighed, mostly in annoyance. The outcome was obvious and a certain someone's swordsmanship was just cringe to watch. A toddler had better discipline than Subaru.
"Begin!" The swordsman instructor yelled, backing away from the raised platform so the two could spar.
Subaru left himself completely unguarded as Ray charged at him with a perfectly set guard.
Ray went for a overhead strike. Closing the distance very quickly.
Subaru with the wooden sword in his right hand, went for a block. But right before the blades clashed, Subaru stepped to the left and withdrew his blade from the block.
All Ray's sword hit was empty air. Subaru used his opponents momentum against him and lightly kicked the inside of his knee, and bashed the pommel of the wooden straight sword on top of Rays head, all without moving from his spot.
Subaru's opponent was dazed and tried to get up but alas, he fell unconscious.
"NatsUKI! What the hell was that!?" The instructor bellowed out.
Subaru simply smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry! Every time I fight all your teachings seem to elude me!" He said, obviously feigning ignorance.
"You! Gaah… Get the fuck off the stage. I'm passing you because I don't know what the hell to do with you… Next!" Subaru bowed respectfully to the instructor then walked from the stage.
There was the last event after the graduation. which was about a month away. That's where the top ten students show off their true skills. There, you don't fight fellow graduates, you fight full fledged knights to truly test your skills.
People from noble families will be looking to recruit. Sure being a knight for Lagunica is great, but getting a private deal with a noble protecting a household, pays much higher and you get much better treatment.
Of course, Subaru already has a lady he's serving so that doesn't matter to him.
"Pretty nice moves, Subaru. Although I don't condone going against the academy's teachings…" A voice said as he walked through the dim hallway that led to the equipment room.
"God dayumn! You scared me Rein." The sword saint bowed in apology.
"It was not my intention, forgive me." Subaru laughed and slapped his chest to which he did not even budge.
"Relax Rein... I know I'm not a swordsman. I simply don't have the discipline to restrain my free will to one type of fighting style." He said in fake pride, Eliciting a smirk from Reinhart.
"I can never tell if your being serious or not." The sword saint noted, making his friend chuckle.
"I have been told that." He replied, following each others lead into the hallways of the castle.
"I have no doubt you will pass Subaru. I'm here today to personally interview each graduate. The council wants me to use my divine protections to make sure there are no spies amongst the recruits." Reinhart explained as they walked.
"You going to give me special treatment?" Subaru teased, causing Reinhart to smirk.
"I'm afraid I can't do that… If you could take us to your room, I might as well get yours over with." Subaru nodded and snapped his fingers.
The two were engulfed in a portal and transported to Subaru's room, who urged the sword saint to take a seat.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that." Reinhart mused. The great Od didn't give him any divine protections to make the travel less unnerving.
"Hah, when you do it as much as me it's the same as opening a door." Reinhart sweat dropped at Subaru's disregard of how difficult it is to make portals.
They took a seat at the small table set and Reinhart questioned Subaru. They were easy to answer, thankfully Reinhart didn't ask directly if he was from Gusteko, otherwise his cover would be blown. But the last question the sword saint asked shook Subaru to his core.
"Last question… What kind of man are you?" Reinhart notice his friend stiffened, his divine protection of emotion reading showed a black hole growing in Subaru's chest. Clearly this question hit a nerve and Reinhart felt so terribly sorry for asking it. Especially since he didn't even need to ask that question.
The raven haired boy got up from his chair and walked to the window nearby, the sun poured on his downcast expression.
"This is going to sound ridiculous but your divine protection will prove I'm telling the truth… I'm not from this world, Reinhart. I come from beyond the great waterfall." The sword saint leaned back in shock at this revelation.
"What kind of man am I huh?..." Subaru repeated. Taking a long pause before answering.
"I have killed people who were deserving…. And people who were not." He whispered the last part of his sentence.
The raven haired boy turned around and looked Reinhart straight in the eyes.
"I killed my friend…"
Subaru shortly after looked away in guilt.
"I'm a murderer who pays penance every time he closes his eyes… What kind of man am I?... I honestly don't know anymore, I think I lost sight of that man a long time ago." Subaru explained, tears threatening to leave his eyes.
"If this changes your viewpoint of me… Then I don't blame you." He finished talking, staring at the marble floor."
Reinhart could sense the swirl of sadness, guilt and self loathing. This was not a bad person. This was just a boy who had been abandoned by the world. Of course Subaru didn't see it that way.
The sword saint got up from his seat and put a hand on his friends shoulder. A bad man would not feel such guilt over what he did. If you feel like you need to pay for what you did, then do so. But remember, your not alone." Reinhart encouraged with a soft smile.
Subaru turned his head and wiped his eyes with his arms.
"Tsk, your too kind for your own good." Subaru said, Reinhart apologized causing Subaru to roll his eyes and smirk.
"If you ever need anything Subaru… You can come to me." Reinhart reassured once more, making his friend nod.
"I look forward to your progress at the graduation competition. Unfortunately I have others to question, Good day my friend."
"Yea, see ya around buddy."
It was finally the day of the competition, Subaru and Beatrice trained hard.
Subaru knew he was already knighted, but he felt he had to prove it to Emilia and Beatrice even if they said he didn't.
The competition will feature the top ten students of the graduates. However they will he fighting full fledged knights. Not a bunch of rookies like themselves. It will be a proper challenge.
Subaru stood with his nine other classmates and a few teachers in the middle of the large arena whilst nobles, knights and mages flooded the stands.
A/N: (It's the same arena that Julius fought Subaru in.)
A platform amongst the seats of the stadium plateaued, it seated important people.
Reinhart was there, Roswald, Emilia and a very familiar looking green haired Valkyrie. Some others were there too but Subaru didn't recognize them.
The raven haired boy was ripped from his thoughts when the sword instructor took out a magic device to amplify his voice.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! The royal knight academy of Lagunica, bids you a warm welcome and thanks you for being here to see these ten extraordinary knights that will soon join our ranks!" The crowd gave a round of applause before the instructor continued.
"Of course as usual, we will test the top ten knight trainees to push their limits! To show our dedication, real swords will be used! But not to worry, we have the 'blue' here to help incase of emergency!" He gestured to one Felix Argyle who did a cutesy pose.
"And we also have some special guests amongst us this year! Please give a warm welcome to the Karsten camp, Hoshin camp and Roswald L. Mathers!" The crowd gave applause once more as said guests waved from the plateaued seating area.
It irked Subaru that they didn't even mention Emilia's name, but that could also be a good thing, as depressing as that sounds.
Subaru was then urged into a waiting room. Apparently they weren't allowed to watch each others matches to avoid any advantages they may gain from doing so.
As he sat, his other eight classmates were definitely nervous as the first one was fighting. Lip biting, nail chewing, leg bouncing. Subaru was no exception, all those people watching him duke it out? What if all the training he did and he still fucks it up? What if he embarrasses Emilia, Roswald and Beako?
The sounds of battle stopped and the crowd cheered. It was the senior knights win. Not really a surprise. Subaru's next classmate was taken. It seemed almost like a sheep to a slaughter, but you could fight back.
One by one his classmates lost their spars. Finally, like a main character, Subaru was chosen last.
"Don't embarrass us." The instructor whispered, to which Subaru nodded.
'Fucking asshole.' The raven haired boy thought while stepping onto the large arena.
"Our final battle today! Coming from the Mathers domain, Subaru Natsuki!" The instructor yelled, eliciting a cheer from the crowd.
Subaru took a sword from a servant that was brought to everyone else save for Subaru left the arena.
Emilia watched as her knight walked onto the arena, her hands clasped together with a worried expression. A certain Valkyrie noticed this.
"Please don't be so nervous Emilia, my knight Felix will undoubtedly heal him in even better condition than he is now." She encouraged. Emilia looked at her with relief.
"That's good to hear… I just get so worried, he's always getting himself hurt. Why does he feel like he needs to prove himself to me all the time?" Crusch smirked at her words.
"After today he should calm down. Felix was the same way too." Emilia nodded at her advice.
"I'll trust you on that then."
The match had begun, both contestants completely unguarded as if welcoming the other to attack.
Subaru's opponent was skilled. He is stern, mid length, flowy golden hair, green eyes and looked pompous like his brother.
"You're a Sherlum? Ray's brother?" Subaru said, as they circled each other.
"Hoh? I guess you are not completely incompetent… I am Tye Sherlum, first son of count Sherlum." He said with a pompous tone.
"Wow, sorry about your brother. Did he tattle on me?" Subaru teased, which made Tye smirk.
"He did, so I slapped him for losing to such a fool… I don't care if you beat my idiotic brother… You are a laughing stock to Lagunican swordsmanship. Not to mention you're a filthy Gustekon.
"Wow prejudice much? I may be rough around the edges, I'm not the best swordsman, but guess what?... I'm not a swordsman." Subaru threw the sword given to him off the arena, made a small portal and pulled out RoseMary from it.
There was Gasps from the crowd and Tye took a step back.
"You're a mage? This whole time?" He said with disgust.
"Do you hate anything that's not a knight?" He said charging at Tye.
Subaru twirled the javelin around like a bo-staff around in various ways while blocking and parrying blows from his opponents sword. Sparks and metallic noises rang through the air.
It was a very flashy spectacle. Tye did a heavy overhead strike, Subaru casted Murak on himself and back flipped to safety. The sword sliced into the ground getting stuck.
While still in mid-air, Subaru threw the javelin and Tye was forced to let go of his sword.
The golden javelin impaled the ground where his opponent once stood. The two circled each other once more with both their weapons in the middle.
"You gave up your only weapon just for a chance that I would be incapacitated? How foolish!" He yelled bolting towards his sword with surprising speed.
"Not quite." Subaru reached out his hand and RoseMary disappeared in front of his opponents eyes and was once again hurled at him.
He barely dodged in time, a bloody scratch grazed his arm.
The crowd cheered at the display of power. Tye glared at Subaru.
"You are no knight. You're an abomination with no mastery!" Tye yelled, engaging in combat once more.
Tye was getting frustrated. This annoying cur had no real stance, no guard, and no respect of swordsmanship. Yet somehow, he was able to parry, block and deflect every blow he threw at him.
"Is the only thing you can do is defend!?" Tye yelled, making Subaru smirk.
"No, your mom said I was a really good fuck last night." Subaru could hear Felix laugh girlishly in the distance.
"You vile dog!"
Luckily everyone seated on the plateau were too far away to hear their conversation.
"This Subaru Natsuki is quite good Reinhart." The one and only Julius Juukulius mentioned to the sword saint by his side.
"Yes, I don't know what he's fully capable of. But I can tell he's still holding back." Julius was surprised at Reinhart's take on the fight.
"We will have to wait and see…"
Wilhelm, who stood a few yards away from the Hoshin camp, overheard his grandson's and the knight of knights conversation.
"Lady Crusch, this boy…" He whispered. The Valkyrie nodded.
"Yes. It's him from the bandit subjugation two years ago… I see he has done well for himself." She noted.
"Indeed it would seem so lady Crusch."
"El-vita!" Subaru casted.
The spell made his golden javelin many times heavier as it ripped through the air towards his opponent from the sky.
Dust exploded from the impact, Tye clearly managed to dodge but was taken by surprise nonetheless.
Subaru deactivated Murak and slowly floated down to the ground.
"You claim to be a mage but I have yet to see you use a single offensive spell that doesn't apply to that cheat weapon of yours." Tye hissed.
"Your right. This weapon is remarkable, I also think it's unfair." He said, opening a portal and storing the golden weapon.
Subaru then pulled out an ice sword Emilia had made for him in the past and closed the portal.
"Fire magic? I thought you were a yin mage?.. Don't tell me you have two affinities." He said bitterly.
"What are you jealous? Unfortunately I do not have two affinities. A very close friend made this for me." Subaru said giving the ice straight sword a few practice swings.
"Ha, you expect a piece of ice to hold up against actual steel!?" Tye roared, swinging a heavy blow down towards Subaru's head.
To the attackers surprise. Subaru easily parried him and even sent him skidding backwards.
'How?... How!?' Tye thought as his hands shook from the violent impact.
To a spectator it would seem that Subaru had incredible strength. But what he was actually doing was bringing the ice sword to a timeline when it had Murak casted on it, making it weightless. Then the moment it clashed blades, Subaru changed the sword to a timeline when Beatrice casted El-Vita on it, giving the sword extra weight and mass. Then immediately turning it back to a timeline where it was under the cast of Murak. A truly brilliant use of his authority.
"Sorry about that. I'm about to get a bit serious." Subaru said, slowly walking towards his opponent.
Subaru stopped as Tye chuckled.
"Oh no… It is quite the opposite. It is I, who will now show you you're place…" He hissed eyes shaded.
Little dots of lights started to whirl around Tye's blade. A gentle breeze kissed Subaru's cheeks, it was a pretty spectacle.
"Oh spirits, hear my plea and become my blade!" He yelled, the dots of light became more intense and enveloped his sword so tight knit, that it glowed a solid white.
Subaru put his guard up for the first time and readied his stance.
Tye roared with a heavy slash, a bright light arc closed the distance in almost an instant. Subaru had barely any time to flip to the side.
Just as the raven haired boy composed himself, Tye closed the gap and slammed his white blade against his ice cold.
The blow was much stronger this time, using El-vita to guard was counterproductive as that would just add weight to his sword. He had no option but to kick his opponent lightly in the gut and retreat a few meters.
"I won't let you!" Tye yelled, closing the gap and exchanged blows.
Even with Subaru using Murak and El-Vita in accordance, the spirit enhanced blade of his opponent seemed to even the playing field.
"I didn't know house Sherlum had a spirit knight." Anastasia Hoshin said aloud to her own spirit knight.
"I've heard of him. Tye Sherlum… His divine protection allows him to manipulate lesser spirits. It's impressive in its own right but I feel that it takes away the freedom of the spirits. I'm not going to judge him on how he uses his divine protection, but he is not an actual spirit knight. He doesn't need to make a contract to use their power, which is quite extraordinary." Julius explained, gaining a nod from his lady.
Emilia held her hands together above her chest, worry clearly written on her face.
"Please be safe, Subaru…"
Subaru and Tye were in a lock, gritting their teeth and glaring into each others souls before retreating back their separate ways.
Both seemed to be equally exhausted.
"A spirit knight? No, you would have to make thousands of contracts to use that many spirits." Subaru said, grabbing a breath.
"It's my divine protection. Not that a plebian like you would understand." He mocked, gathering the spirits around his sword again.
"Gosh I have feelings too… I think it's about time I wrap this up…" Subaru said, putting away his sword in a small portal and closing his eyes.
This irked Tye to the point of charging at him in a rage. Subaru opened his eyes and pink glowing star shaped magic circles covered his irises.
The world slowed and Subaru saw the targets that he and Beatrice had practiced hitting with minya crystals. Thousands of translucent pink X marks littered the ground and sky in a dome shape, just like in his training dimension.
"Minya." Subaru whispered.
Tye's back was slammed into the ground by a minya crystal. Saliva escaped his mouth as his breath left him momentarily.
The spirits quickly absorbed the minya crystal spreading on his body, which turned them purple. Allowing his opponent to retreat back for a different strategy.
"So you finally bear your fangs. I hate to admit but you are quite good. But I don't plan on losing…" Subaru rolled his eyes at his opponents blabbering.
"Sure sure, let's get this over with." Subaru said nonchalant, waving his hand.
Roswald spectated the fight with amusement.
"So you finaaaally started to show your wooorth dear Subaruuu." He said to himself with a large grin.
Subaru felt a chill down his spine for some reason.
"Okay here I come, don't blame me for what happens next... Minya." Hundreds of minya crystals appeared in a blanket a few meters above Tye's head.
"Impossible! Impossible!" No one can cast that many spells with one chant!" He yelled dodging and weaving. Occasionally using the spirits to absorb the incoming attacks.
"Hate to break it to ya bud, but I can do a lot more than this… But I don't need to draw to much attention. Beating you should suffice." Subaru replied, finally giving him a break from nonstop attacks.
"You make it sound like you already wo-? What the hell is that?" Tye asked pointing behind Subaru.
Behind said boy were to portals, one hovering over the other horizontally. But the unnerving part was the fist sized minya crystal repeatedly falling in a loop between the two so fast, that it looked like one object. The only way you could tell the difference was the howling of wind and dust it was kicking up.
"Ah this? It's my new spell! A mix between dimension, vita and minya spells." Tye was taken aback at this absurd explanation.
"Making an original spell at your age is impossible! No one has done such a thing! Not even the great Mathers lineage! Your lying!" He screamed. Subaru could barely hear him as the howling got even louder. He thought his shawl would blow right off his neck.
"Let's see if you're spirits can protect you from this one…" Subaru replied with an outstretched hand.
"Railgun." Tye was confused as nothing happened.
"Of course, you were just bluf-!?" Tye was cut off as a loud boom was heard and only moments later, a purple blur smashed into the middle of the arena faster than super sonic speeds.
A devastating impact shook the whole stadium. Even cracking the walls. Strangely, Tye felt himself unaffected.
The knights, nobles and mages were blinded by dust.
"Subaru!" Emilia yelled out, running to the edge of the elevated seating area, gripping the railing with anxiety.
Even the three knights present stepped forward to see the outcome better when the dust settled.
"Now now Lady Emiliaaa. I don't thiiiink Subaru would harm himself wiiiith his own attack." The jester reasoned, relieving some of her worry.
"I know… I just can't help it." And she didn't know why. Why did she worry so much for Subaru? She didn't do so for Rem, Ram or Roswald. Only him.
"Could it be tha' miss Emilia likes her knight?" Anastasia said coy, confusing the half elf.
"Of course I like Subaru. He's my friend." Anastasia looked at her deadpan.
"Uh. Tha' aint what I meant…" Emilia was too innocent to get her insinuation.
The dust finally cleared, and the result left them speechless excluding Roswald who acquired a wicked smile, which shortly faded into his normal smirk.
'Good dear Subaru. Keep it up, for my dream must come about through you.' The clown thought.
The whole arena was indented, the stage completely gone. All that was left was a crater fifty feet deep, the ground obliterated into warm soft dirt, the middle of the crater smoked from the intense heat.
Tye Had a coughing fit from the dust and got to his feet.
"How am I alive?" He whispered.
"I took us to another dimension When my attack impacted the ground. Kinetic energy is a real bitch huh? I hope you will be grateful and surrender, yeah?" Subaru said, as four more of the same spell were casted behind him.
Tye fell to his knees with wide eyes and mouth ajar, his blond hair and white Knight uniform now filthy from the dust.
"I… Lose."
"It was a good match." Subaru smiled, snapping his fingers making the spells disappear instantly.
A few moments later, Felix and the instructor slid down the crater.
"Is anyone hurt nya?" Tye and Subaru shook their heads.
"Natsuki… How?" The instructor asked baffled.
"I Tye Sherlum, surrender this match to Subaru Natsuki. He is fit to be a knight or mage of his choosing. Good day." The former opponent interrupted while walking away out of the crater with some difficulty.
"I'd offer him my assistance but I don't think he would take it…" The raven haired boy said to no one.
"Are you going to announce the winner?" The instructor was knocked out of his stunned state and grabbed the magic amplifying device.
"Knight Tye Sherlum has surrendered the battle! The winner is knight Subaru Natsuki!"
The applause was a little underwhelming, no one was expecting a nobody to absolutely dog on an opponent who easily handled the knights before.
The instructor faced Subaru as Felix was leaving the crater as his job was done.
"We've had our differences Natsuki. And I have no doubt there will be problems in the future serving Lady Emilia… But I'm rooting for you kid." Subaru nodded with a smirk.
"Thank you for your teachings. I will remember them."
"No you won't."
"Yea your probably right!" Subaru joked as he snapped his fingers.
A portal opened and the raven haired boy stepped inside to head back to his room.
"Maybe I am the main character after all?"
A/N
Sorry for the long wait! I was traveling and didn't have an opportunity to write. It's good to be back though! Thanks for reading.
Also, it would be great to hear your thoughts on the story! I love hearing them! Peace!
